Coastal Alerter Flare Kit

Name: Coastal Alerter Flare Kit
Brand: Orion
Price: 79 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (940 reviews)

4.3(940)

The visual distress signals the Coast Guard requires on most boats, in a kit that covers day and night without picking each piece separately.

Check price on Amazon$79

Price shown was accurate on 2026-09-01. Amazon sets the live price.

What's good

Combination of aerial and handheld flares satisfies the day and night carriage requirement for most recreational boats
Aerial flares are visible for miles in the dark, which cuts a search area down dramatically
Sealed container keeps them dry and organized in a wet locker

What isn't

Flares expire 42 months from manufacture, so this is a recurring purchase and expired ones do not count toward carriage requirements

We list the drawbacks because a recommendation with no downside is a sales pitch. If a cheaper item does the job on your water, the write-up says so.

Also worth a look

Related gear

Mustang Survival · Safety

Classic Flotation Coat

4.7(1,620)

A Coast Guard approved coat you will actually wear, which is the only meaningful difference between a PFD that saves you and one stowed under a seat.

On Amazon$249 Full write-up

Standard Horizon · Safety

HX210 Handheld VHF

4.6(2,200)

A floating, submersible six-watt handheld that reaches the Coast Guard when a cell phone has no bars, which offshore on Superior and Huron is most of the time.

On Amazon$119 Full write-up

ACR Electronics · Safety

ResQLink View PLB

4.8(780)

A satellite personal locator beacon that puts your GPS position in front of search and rescue from anywhere on the lakes, with no subscription and no cell signal.

On Amazon$339 Full write-up

Onyx · Safety

A/M-24 Inflatable PFD

4.5(4,100)

A low-bulk inflatable that is comfortable enough to wear in August heat, so summer anglers stop leaving the PFD in the bow.

On Amazon$109 Full write-up